Israel: A Blessing to All Nations

I volition make of you a great nation? And you shall be a pardon? And all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you (Gen. 122-3). Israel is a put forward to the opposite nations. As bulky as Israel succeeds in informing other good deals and proving that Yahweh is immortal, it go forth be understood to be a goodwill to these nations. The very(prenominal) examples often employed to dispel the idea of Israels being a blessing serve as evidence to support it. The plagues in contemporaries actually prove that Yahweh is graven image to the Israelites and the Egyptians.In the infamous conquest of Canaan, Rahab and her family atomic number 18 sp atomic number 18d because she ac realiseledges that Yahweh is paragon. Joseph gathers food to feed the Egyptians during the 7 years of famine. Throughout the Hebrew Bible, the Israelites relationship with other nations ultimately leads its peoples to benefit by the realization that Yahweh is God. At first, Israels relation ship with the Egyptians does not seem to be a blessing however, The Plagues return in the Egyptians ultimately perceiving Yahweh as God.God, so that the Egyptians shall know that I am Lord (Exodus 73,5), puts the Egyptians through a gauntlet, comprised of some of the worst imaginable ills that can befall man. When God states that He will bring charge a hail storm, Pharaohs courtiers, ? who feared the Lords word brought their slaves and gunstock indoors to safety (920). This quotation signals a change in conviction previously, Pharoahs courtiers did not pay attention to Moses premonitions. Gradually though, the courtiers begin to demand notice of Yahwehs power.Similarly, God vows to unleash locusts all over the land. Pharaohs courtiers be happen increasingly involved with Pharoahs decisions and favor kicking the Israelites to leave ? how long shall this one be a snare to us? Let the custody go to worship the Lord our God (107) Examined carefully, the quotation reads the Lord our God. thus far though the entire nation does not, Pharaohs courtiers accept Yahweh as their God. In a similar manner, Israels conquest of Canaan, at Jericho, reaffirms Israels billet as a blessing.While hiding the two Israelite spies, Rahab confides, I know that the Lord has given the country to you? for the Lord your God is the only God in heaven above and on earth below (Josh. 29,11). Rahab is a prostitute, whom one would presume to be anything exclusively pious. When Israel destroys Jericho, only Rahab the harlot and her fathers family were spared? and she dwelt among the Israelites? (625). This quotation highlights two important notions the authors choice of stating her fathers family, can be interpreted as her immediate family or a larger group of people who as well accept Yahweh.Secondly, Rahabs dwelling among the Israelites is a classic example of how the inhabitants of other nations anticipate and become a part of Israel. By remaining with the Israelites, Rahab embraces the fact that their God is the one and only God. Also part of Israels conquest of Canaan, are the events surrounding the city of Gibeon. Upon seeing what Israel had done to Jericho, ? the people of Gibeon had come to legal injury with Israel and remained among them? (Joshua 102). This is yet another example of people from other nations pass judgment Yahweh and becoming a part of Israel.Without having directly experienced what Yahweh is capable of, the Gibeonites instanter identify Him as God. When Joshua arrives with Israel, and realizing what the kings line up intentions are, commands, Stand still, O sun, at Gibeon,/ O moon, in the Valley of Aijalon (1012). Miraculously halting these ghostlike forces, Joshua defeats all five armies and kills the kings. These marvels further strengthen the peoples belief in Yahweh and prove again that Israel is a blessing to the cities of Canaan. (israel proves to be a blessing to Canaan because it reveals to Canaans people the one true God)Proving that he himself is a blessing to the Egyptians, Joseph saves Egypt and its surrounding nations, from death and starvation. Joseph prophesizes that at that place will be seven years of abundance? After them will come seven years of famine (Genesis 4129), and proposes that someone be in charge of gathering food to be used during the famine. Though Joseph is an Israelite, Pharoah puts him in charge of the life-saving task. Just as Joseph foretells, There was famine in the land, except throughout the land of Egypt there was bread? So all the orbit came to Joseph in Egypt to procure rations? (4154, 57).In the above quotation, Joseph is portrayed as a godlike figure who saves the world from starvation, thus proving himself to be a blessing to the Egyptians and Canaanites. In addition to these cases, in which a named group of people (Pharaohs courtiers, Rahab, the Gibeonites) are enlightened to Yahwehs existence, there are other instances in which unnamed groups of c itizens proves Israel to be a blessing. As Israel finally departs from Egypt, the author describes how there are about six thousand men on foot, excursion from children. Moreover, a mixed multitude went up with them? (Exodus 1237-38).The author specifically mentions that a mixed multitude, which is understood to mean non-Israelites, joins the Israelites and recognizes Yahweh as God. In I Samuel, Israel is at conflict with the Philistines and has suffered a defeat because the Ark of the Lord is in battle of Pittsburgh Landing and not with the Israelites. Upon hearing Israels joyous shouts, the Philistines become frightened and question, God has come to the camp? Who will save us from the power of this powerful God (47-8)? The inhabitants of other nations previously refer to Yahweh, as the God of Israel or the God of the Hebrews. However, in this quotation, the Philistines refer to Yahweh as if they are speaking of their own god, by omitting a distinction of whom He rules. Af ter Israel captures Edom, ? all the Edomites became vassals of David (II Sam. 814). Initially, this is capture is not seen as a blessing. However, subsequently examining what nations typically did after capturing another nation, Israel is truly a blessing, because not only did Israel refrain from destroying, robbing, and murdering the citizens and the city, but instead appointed them to official positions.Israels conquests prove to be a blessing to other nations, as they allow the peoples to live by judge Yahweh as God. Though Israels actions may not initially allow it to be apparent, Israel is a blessing to other nations. It is true that many people suffer, some innocently and others because they chose not to accept Yahweh as God. However, the Tanakh says it is much split up to die with the truth, than it is to live in ignorance.